Effect of Blood Flow Restriction on Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) is a therapeutic approach commonly used to facilitate muscular strength and hypertrophy. Emerging evidence has identified its benefits on other systems and metabolic processes. The purpose of this study was to examine potential impact of BFRE on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Eighteen healthy adults (9 men, 9 women; mean age 34.44 ± 9.97 years) were randomized into groups to perform cycling either with or without blood flow restriction (BFR). Blood samples were collected before and after exercise to analyze serum concentrations of BDNF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Between groups analysis of variance found BDNF significantly higher postexercise in the BFR group. There was a main effect for sex indicating women using BFR with exercise had a greater increase in BDNF than men (P < 0.05). Cycling with BFR may induce significant increases in serum levels of BDNF. Further research should continue examining the impact of BFRE on serum levels of BDNF using this methodology in other populations to increase generalizability of results and explore its use in the prevention of age-related cognitive decline. In addition, a longitudinal design would investigate the impact of time.ABSTRACT
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Interaction of time and exercise condition on serum concentrations of BDNF between BFRE group and work-matched controls. The y-axis represents the serum BDNF concentration (pg·mL−1). BDNF = brain-derived neurotrophic factor; BFRE = blood flow restriction exercise.
Concentration of BDNF before and after exercise comparing male and female BFRE participants. The y-axis represents the serum BDNF concentration (pg·mL−1). BDNF = brain-derived neurotrophic factor; BFRE = blood flow restriction exercise.
Contributor Notes
Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: None.